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Dicker prepared to soar

Brighton midfielder Gary Dicker is determined to come back fitter and stronger next season after missing over five months through injury.

By Chris Galea

Last Updated: 01/05/12 12:30pm

Gary Dicker: Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder is aiming to be fitter next season

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Gary Dicker is determined to come back fitter and stronger next season after missing over five months through injury.

The 25-year-old was sidelined after suffering a fractured fibula in October, but managed to make a full recovery and feature in the final six games of the campaign.

The Seagulls could not maintain their mid- season promise, which saw them competing for a play-off place, as they finished nine points adrift of the top six.

However, former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international Dicker believes that lessons have been learned from their first year back in the Championship.

Huge buzz

"It has been a little bit disappointing not to be up there in the play-offs, but having said that we'd have taken it at the start of the season," Dicker told Sky Sports.

"It is our first year in the Championship and there is still a huge buzz around the place, with the new stadium bringing everyone together, so I think that we've had a good season overall.

"I think that we've learnt a lot this year because at the start we were very good and consistent, but that followed a bad spell.

"You can learn a lot from playing against big clubs and at times we struggled and it will definitely stand us in good stead for next season.

"We've got that year of experience under our belts now at this level, so we'll re-group and probably add a few new faces over the summer before hopefully pushing on and making the top six next season.

"It was obviously frustrating getting injured and being out for so long, but it was good to get back playing before the end of the season.

"Everything is fine now, with no setbacks since I've returned to the side, so hopefully I've had my long break now and I can focus on ticking over during the summer so that I can come back fitter and stronger than last year."